Josh Willingham in Pinstripes?

by Brandon C. on Jan 24, 2010 9:00 AM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

Recently over at Bronx Baseball Daily, Dan took a look at Josh Willingham. The idea of Willingham in the Bronx intruiges me, so I reached out to the Washington Nationals SB Nation Blog, Federal Baseball, main writer, Edward Chigliak. Here is the interview, along with some extra commentary:

1. Is Josh Willingham available?

If you believe what you read in the papers, yes. A Washington Post writer said that the Nationals came close to trading Willingham two weeks ago, but the other team backed out, and now after signing Hammer to a 1-year/$4.6M dollar deal, ESPN's Buster Olney reported yesterday that Washington had put him back on the market. The only public statement DC GM Mike Rizzo has really made on Willingham was to say at the trading deadline last year that he couldn't understand trading a player who was just 30 (going on 31), productive and under the team's control for two years, but the whispers all along have been that if someone blows them away with an offer he could be had...

2. Do you think he has the talent to be a starting outfielder in the AL East?

Josh Willingham is a competent outfielder. That's about as far as I'd go in praise of his defensive skills. Strictly a left fielder. The Nationals tried him out in right last season and it was hard to watch. Can he play in or against a lineup like the Yankees or Red Sox? Considering he's put up a line of .264/.362/.478 and been good for 25-30 doubles, 20-25 HR's and around 70 RBI's in what amounts to four full seasons with the Marlins and Nationals, his bat might be enough to justify it, but I think he's a step below what you'd expect from the outfield talent in the AL East honestly. He'd make a good right-handed DH.

3. What would it take to get Willingham?

Young, "major league-ready" pitching. That's pretty much all Washington's ever looking for in trades. The Washington Post writer I mentioned, Thomas Boswell, who spoke of a near-trade recently, described the Nationals' target as, "a major-league ready pitcher of Jordan Zimmermann quality". Zimmermann was the Nats' no.1 prospect going into '09, so the idea is that Washington's looking to package Willingham with one of the older pitchers in the system, or one of the older outfielders, in return for someone's top pitching prospects.

4. Propose a trade to the Yankees for the Yankees to get Willingham?

I imagine everyone asks about Phil Hughes first. There's no way Willingham brings back Hughes in my mind. If NY hadn't traded Arodys Vizcaino and Mike Dunn to Atlanta, I'd bet Mr. Rizzo would have taken either of them off the Yanks' hands...so it would basically look like Willingham and a Craig Stammen or J.D. Martin for Hughes and/or the equivalent prospects for Vizcaino and Dunn. Sorry, you guys go through prospects too quick for me to keep up with the Yankees' system.

5. Thoughts on the likelihood of a trade?

Willingham said he doesn't think he'll be traded. I think if the Nationals can't get what they want from free agency, he's the most attractive player on the Nats' roster as far as other teams are concerned. But I'd guess his well-documented back issues are always brought up by teams inquiring about him and the Nationals probably want more value in return than other teams are willing to offer. I'd say he's definitely dealt before the end of this season, but Washington might take a chance that he'll increase his value with the same sort of first half (.304/.419/.576) that he had in '09.

Honestly, I would not even consider a trade for Willingham, or any left field option, if it meant giving up Hughes. I doubt Ed seriously thinks Hughes would be traded for Willingham, so I sent him my own trade proposal. Ivan Nova, Sergio Mitre, and Reegie Corona for Josh Willingham. I'm not sure if I would do it, but based on the criteria mentioned by Ed, I figured it was worth offering. Each player is easily replaceable, anyway. I will update the post when Ed replies to the offer, but thanks again to Ed for answering the questions!

The main problems with Willingham are pretty obvious. The 30-year old is to be paid $4.6 million in 2010. The Yankees may be able to get Johnny Damon for less than that. The former catcher turned left fielder does have some upside to him, but it is mostly in non-important stats like away-batting average and indoor hitting. Willingham hit .300 vs. lefties last season, but only .265 career vs. lefties. Personally, I would not do it. If it was for ONLY Corona and Mitre? Yes. If it was for Nova, Corona, and Mitre? No. Thoughts?

UPDATE: 3:03 PM: Check here to see if the Federal Baseball readers would accept my trade offer.

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Comments

meh...

seems like he’s gonna cost too much. Doesn’t really seem LF caliber defensively..probably would mean that Swisher’s gotta go to LF?

I’d rather just go with Damon for the extra couple beans.

Its a nice alternative if the cost comes down…..

You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 24, 2010 9:13 AM EST reply actions

swisher in left

a scary thought, indeed.

by Balistes on Jan 24, 2010 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

No Way

there’s a much cheaper alternative on the market. He’s a so so fielder, is also on the wrong side of 30, and his name is Johnny Damon.

I’ll be really disappointed if they do this deal instead of bringing Damon back for 10MM.

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

Vince Lombardi

by moose35 on Jan 24, 2010 9:36 AM EST reply actions

There are two things wrong with that piece

What is the Nats’ motivation behind moving Josh Willingham to sign a crappy Mike Jacobs (who made $3.3M last yr.) and his sub-par 1B glove and then shifting an all-around, defensively-challenged Adam Dunn to LF? That does not make any improvement of significance. It simply does not add up.

The prospect of trading away Aceves and Gaudin ($2.95M for ’10 – not cheap for the Nats) is too much pitching depth to give up for Willingham who will only marginal contributions in a lineup as deep as the Yankees.

by Scooby Snacks on Jan 24, 2010 9:40 AM EST reply actions

Why am I not hearing anything about Eric Byrnes

Is he damaged goods? If no, then he would be a PERFECT option for a LF platoon with Gardy! And he comes cheap too! CASH…CHECK OUT E-BURN baby!

by Ronald P on Jan 24, 2010 9:45 AM EST reply actions

Damaged Goods

Byrnes hasn’t played 90 games since 2007. That year was also the only year in the last 5 seasons he’s hit at league average, and then he was just barely league average.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jan 24, 2010 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

He doesn't hit lefties

Thats the main thing the Yankees are looking for

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 24, 2010 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

perfect?

Eric Byrnes hasn’t been average since 2007. Byrnes stinks…basically a slower RH hitting Gardner.

You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 24, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

Uh

Byrnes sucks. I see absolutely no reason for the Yankees to be interested in him. None.

by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 24, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

he does NOT come cheap

he’s owed 11 million.

by Frank Campagnola on Jan 24, 2010 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

No

bring back Damon for a couple extra million. It’s more worth it. There are reports that the Yankees and Damon are talking again, so it’s possible he could be resigned. I sure hope so.

Damon>Willingham.

by nyyrocks29 on Jan 24, 2010 10:33 AM EST reply actions

Willingham

He has great numbers against lefties, so he’d be a solid addition but I think the Nationals would be asking for more than it would be worth giving up for him.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 24, 2010 11:45 AM EST reply actions

Willingham>Damon

Willingham has put up very good numbers in pitchers parks while Damon has put up an OPS short of .800 on the road over the last 3 years. You would have to expect Willingham to have 50 OPS pts on Damon in a neutral park…at least.
Wouldn’t give up the farm for him but he would be an offensive upgrade over Damon and both are below average fielders. The six years age difference is a huge factor in Willingham’s court as well.

by Dwnflfan on Jan 24, 2010 11:59 AM EST reply actions

good point.

all comes down to cost, in terms of prospects.

Given age..his contract is much better then Damon, even at a reduced cost.

If the Nats tone down this request for major league ready pitching..which, while the Yankees have..its just in the form of high ceiling players..not average young starters with limited upside.

Willingham probably is a better option.

You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 24, 2010 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

Absolutely Damon over Willingham

Damon at $7MM or less for one year versus Willingham at $4.6MM is a no brainer… Damon wins without a doubt

Cash & Hal, bring Johnnie back and get ready for #28 in 2010.

by YANKEES FOREVER on Jan 24, 2010 11:59 AM EST reply actions

i actually like willingham, wouldnt mind him here – but i wouldnt trade any useful prospects to get him

by Lrccolt4 on Jan 24, 2010 1:38 PM EST reply actions

What's with all this "platoon" talk?

If Gardner isn’t capable of being the every day starter in Left, which he isn’t, then he shouldn’t be starting AT ALL. Obviously we all know this or we wouldn’t be talking of platooning him. We need Damon!

by david d on Jan 24, 2010 1:51 PM EST reply actions

Run that by me again

If a player needs a platoon partner he should be relegated to bench duties?
Isn’t getting the most out of imperfect players the point of a platoon?

I don’t think Gardner needs a platoon partner, but I’m not crazy about our outfield depth if one of Granderson, Swisher or Gardner goes down or has an extended slump (Grand Central may need a caddy for strong lefties, too).

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jan 24, 2010 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

"(Grand Central may need a caddy for strong lefties, too)."

Which is the only reason I view Reed Johnson as a fit on the Yankee roster.

Not to platoon with Gardner. LF should be for Damon.

by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 24, 2010 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think

the Yankees are going into the season with a starting left fielder with whom they’re going to have to platoon with another player. I hope they have other plans than starting Gardner.

by david d on Jan 24, 2010 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

they did it in 2009....

why not 2010?

LF plays right next to CF…they planned on doing it with Melky and Gardner in 2009..and did.

Now they do it with Gardner and Hoffman, or someone else if they beat out Hoffman.

So…given the FACT they’ve done if before…they could do it again..for the second year in a row actually….

You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 25, 2010 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

That was with

Melky. If you think Gardner and Hoffman compares to Melky you’re mistaken. Hoffman? Come on.

by david d on Jan 25, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

overrating Melky much?

You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 25, 2010 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

No,

don’t mean to be overrating Melky. But compared to Hoffman?…

by david d on Jan 25, 2010 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

The Hammer

always liked the guy as a Marlin, but I wouldn’t be keen on any Willingham trade if the cost was any significant (and Willingham’s bat possess a good deal of value).

by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 24, 2010 2:29 PM EST reply actions

geeze ya dont have to hurt my feelings..lol

by Ronald P on Jan 24, 2010 3:10 PM EST reply actions

About "Jordan Zimmerman quality"

That doesn’t necessarily mean the #1 pitcher in the system. It means a player with a similar ceiling and development.

John Sickles called him B+ prospect before last season, when Zimmerman pitched 100 AA innings to a 1.2 WHIP at age 22.

That lines up more with Ivan Nova or Zack McAllister than with Hughes.

The lineup is strong enough as is, that I wouldn’t trade away more of our pitching depth for a left fielder, even though Willingham is under team control through 2011.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jan 24, 2010 3:53 PM EST reply actions